Photography by Cheryl Sawyer

Monthly Archives: December 2012

One of my favorite personal accomplishments in 2012 is the time I have dedicated to developing my photography skills, which has resulted in more favorite images than I ever could have foreseen at the beginning of the year. Some favorites are beautifully lit scenes of nature or the urban landscape. Some are “emotional favorites” that capture a moment in my family’s life. Picking a top photo for 2012 is a near impossible task. But as I review my photos from the year, I keep coming back to this one from June, of Loren and her shadow running on the beach near my grandmother’s home in Sea Bright, NJ.

This image has taken on a new poignancy since Hurricane Sandy, which devastated much of Sea Bright. While my grandmother (and my aunt who lives nearby) was able to move back into her home after a few weeks, many homes and businesses suffered irreparable damage. The beach between Loren and New York City in the picture is part of the national recreation area at Sandy Hook, which also suffered immense damage and may not reopenin time for the 2013 summer season.

Since picking a favorite photo is kind of like picking a favorite child, I decided to include a favorite photo of Kate from this year that frames her in one of our other favorite environments, a New York City playground.

Another fabulous outcome of 2012 is the amazing group of friends I have made through the photography courses I have taken. Please continue around our blog circle to the website of my friend Justine Knight, whose timeless and distinctive style shines through all of her photos. I can’t wait to see how she closes out 2012.

Welcome to week 4 of the Holiday Edition of Playing with Light, a 52-week photography project that I am pursuing with a group of talented women photographers whom I have come to know and admire over the past year.

Friday, December 21, 9PM: On vacation for rest the year! And relaxing with a glass of shiraz by the tree.

My extended family traditionally gathers on Christmas Eve (this year we will have 22 people at my parents’ house. Note to self: bring shiraz!). Here Kate enjoys a “spare” candy cane after helping make peppermint bark to bring to the gathering tomorrow .

Please continue around our blog circle to the website of my Minnesotan friend Julie Kiernan to see what holiday light is inspiring her in the frozen north.

Here’s my take on a Christmas landmark on a typical (i.e. dreary) New York December afternoon. I’ll pretend it’s a clever repudiation of cliché sparkly photos, and not just because the only time I’ve happened to be in the neighborhood this year was in the rain.

Please continue around our blog circle to the site of my friend and fellow Jersey girl (now transplanted to the West Coast), Kami Chaudhery, to see what holiday light she is finding in rainy Seattle.

Right after Thanksgiving, certain corners of New York City are transformed into Christmas tree markets for a few weeks. After dropping off my daughter at school on a recent morning I spied the eastern light peeking underneath some wreaths at a nearby stand.

Today’s post is part of a long-term collaborative photo project that concentrates on light and learning to master it in its many forms. I am thrilled to be pursuing this project with a number of talented photographers whom I have come to know and admire over the past year. For our four-week “Holiday Edition” we will seek to capture the light (or lights!) of the holiday season in creative ways.

Please continue around the circle to the blog of my friend Erica Collins to see her interpretation of our seasonal theme.